Charisa Stories

Tag: warren wiersbe

  • Jesus is the Escape Plan From a Difficult Past

    I love this quote from E. L. Doctorow about writing: “It’s like driving a car at night: you never see further than your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”

    That is profoundly simple and true. I think this principle applies to writing, living, and especially for living a life of faith.

    Life is like driving in fog. I wish I could see farther ahead on my journey, but the truth is, I cannot. I can see only as far as the light that illuminates my path. Because I’m a Christian, that is all I really need to know. Christ, my Light, reassures me that I can (and will) make the whole trip in that way. But there is fear in the unknown of the future, and it is easy to dwell in the predictable events of the past.

    Not dwelling in the past is a huge issue to address on my journey to trust God even in difficult moments.

    Paul described his past to the church at Philippi. He wrote that what he used to view as valuable he now viewed as garbage, compared to the priceless value of knowing Christ. He explained his desire to know Christ better. And then Paul gave a note of encouragement and a path to achieve that goal by focusing on Christ and always moving forward.

    No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:13-14)

    That is the plan. I forget the past, look forward, and then take one stride at a time to the finish line. I can’t backpedal and finish the race. I can’t run in place and finish the race. I can’t take one mighty leap to finish the race. I certainly can’t stop and finish the race. It is about putting one foot in front of the other.

    Forgetting the past is hard. I know that. I have struggled mightily, and at times quite unsuccessfully, with letting go of things that wounded me in the past.

    Because of Christ, I know that I will not be abandoned or unloved. Every day that I wake up and focus on my Protector, Jesus, I know that I can relax and live in the moment. Some days I can live with joy. Other days are not so joyful, but I can always live in the assurance of the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

    Satan wants desperately to have me wallow in regret or shame of the past. Followers of Christ have an escape plan. It’s not always easy to implement. The power for healing is there. Bible teacher and author Warren Wiersbe offers a good perspective on this challenge, as he analyzes how Paul related to the past.

    “Forgetting those things which are behind” does not suggest an impossible feat of mental and psychological gymnastics by which we try to erase the sins and mistakes of the past. It simply means that we break the power of the past by living for the future. We cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past. There were things in Paul’s past that could have been weights to hold him back (1 Tim. 1:12-17), but they became inspirations to speed him ahead. The events did not change, but his understanding of them changed. ”

    I can’t magically erase the events and pain of prior events, but I can break their power. I can change the meaning of the past. I can live for the future. I can believe that I am a new creation because of the finished work of Christ. And I can begin to see myself as God sees me. The past does not define me; Jesus does.

  • Negative People Offer a Problem for Every Solution

    Albert Einstein is generally credited for the thought in today’s title. If so it may be his best theory! I have reached and exceeded my saturation point on negative discourse.

    Our leaders on both sides, the media, and social media platforms spend a ridiculous percentage of their energy on what is wrong with this world instead of ways to address those problems. Their solutions are often soul-sucking condemnation, judgement, and summary dismissal of people who simply ask questions. Perhaps the most distressing thing is that many in the church have fallen into the same dark space. Christian social media responses to cultural and doctrinal issues may be slightly less profane but not much, if any, less negative.

    Brothers and sisters, we are supposed to be light! But please don’t take my word for it. Your argument is with Jesus. 

    “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will 
    praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16, NLT)

    What I see too often is this very sad paraphrase of His words demonstrated through social media platforms. 

    “Let my sharp words shame or demean you so that everyone will see how clever I am and praise me.” 

    Paul addressed why we should be eager to be light in the world in Ephesians 5:8. 

    “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!“

    My heart breaks when I see how many followers of Christ seem to have forgotten they were once full of darkness. It is only because of God’s grace that you have light. 

    For the spiritual hall monitors I am willing to have thoughtful discussions about tough issues. But I am done with negativity and it is not because I am naive about the condition of the world. I am done with negativity precisely because of the condition of the world. This hurting, fearful populace needs hope, light, and grace. They need thoughtful listeners with a message of love. They need the positive message of the Good News. That is my goal for the rest of my days. I feel quite comfortable that the negative side will be well represented by countless others. 

    Everyday I need to make choices.

    I can be judgmental or I can be joyful.
    I can be pessimistic or I can be prayerful.
    I can be condemning or I can be caring.
    I can be fearful or I can be faithful.
    I can be grace-filled or I can be graceless.

    We make those choices and I know they are not easy. Making the choice to eat better is hard. Making the choice to work out is even harder for me. Those are decisions with good but temporal benefits. But making the choice to be a positive, loving light in this world has eternal impact. Warren Wiersbe is one of my favorite writers. His book Be Joyful: Philippians): Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy is a great study to reorient your negativity.

    “When you have the single mind, you look on your circumstances as God-given opportunities for the furtherance of the gospel, and you rejoice at what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do.”― Warren W. Wiersbe

    That response ain’t natural my friends. That is a mindset based on who God is. It is a choice grounded on the grace He has lavishly given to each one of His children. I’m done with negativity. I don’t know if I have two weeks or two decades left on this planet but I don’t want to spend my time wallowing in pessimism. I remember joking with my television production crew a few years ago that I was in the 4th quarter of life. One of my dear, encouraging friends said this with a smile on his face. “What if you’re in overtime?” That could well be but no matter how much time is on the life clock I want to be a positive light. I want to remember and live out the truth of John 13:35.

    “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

    The choice to love and be light is infinitely more important than winning online arguments, getting social media likes, and racking up followers. I want to be a loving light for the Good News of the Gospel. Nothing is more important.

  • Jesus Loves the Broken Ones

    Jesus Loves the Broken Ones

    We all go through hard seasons in life. Recently I have had to walk with some very dear friends through dark valleys. I had to say goodbye to one close friend. Actually, I had to say “see you later”. I rejoice in the hope of our heavenly reunion someday.

    I love when God sends an unexpected blessing when you are crushed by the weight of this world. My sweet wife Joni calls them “Postcards from God”. I received an electronic post card recently.

    Regular readers of these humble ramblings know that I have become a fan of bluegrass singer, songwriter, and producer Jerry Salley. His song about our mutual hometown of Chillicothe, Ohio still fills my heart with warm memories of my small town upbringing. I absolutely fell in love with his lyrical storytelling. We connected on a professional level and I sent him a couple of my books.

    In late June I received my postcard. Jerry began reading my book Stay: Lessons My Dogs Taught Me about Life, Loss, and Grace. He asked his Mom if she knew a Dave Burchett from Chillicothe.

    “I do know him. You’re related.”

    It turns out my grandmother and his grandmother were sisters. This talented artist is my second cousin! I felt a little better because I always wondered where the family musical talent had gone. Cousin Jerry took it all. We have had the most amazing exchange of memories since our revelation of being related.

    I had previously written about his powerful song “Without Forgiveness” and a song about leaving a legacy titled “How I Want to Be Remembered”. Another sweet story hit my heart while listening to Jerry’s catalogue of music.

    A song called the Broken Ones has been recorded by Jerry and also by a group called the Amundruds. The lyrics describe a little girl named Maggie who pulls a Raggedy Ann doll out of a neighbor’s trash can. The doll is missing an arm and one button eye hangs on by a thread. She finds a place for this broken one with her other dolls. The chorus is touching as it describes the heart of this young girl.

    She loves the broken ones, the ones that need a little patching up
    She sees the diamond in the rough and makes it shine like new
    It really doesn’t take that much, a willing heart and a tender touch
    If everybody loved like she does, there’d be a lot less broken ones.

    Years later Maggie is working at a shelter when a young drug addict stumbles in lost and hopeless. Maggie embraces her and invites this broken soul into that safe place. She helps the young woman find healing.

    The lyrics go on to describe how many viewed Maggie as a hero because of her heart for those who are broken. She deferred the credit to someone else.

    If you call her and angel, she’ll be quick to say to you
    She’s just doing what the One who died for her would do.

    She was simply doing what Jesus does. He loved the broken ones. The song ends with this addition to the chorus.

    If everybody loved like Jesus, there’d be a lot less broken ones.

    Amen.

    The message of the song is spot on. Jesus loves the broken ones.

    This journey is not easy. Never will be. One of the big mistakes we make in sharing our faith is making it seem like all troubles are over when you embrace Christianity. That is not in the contract. We will still have problems and heartaches and even tragedies. King David wrote these words while escaping down a broken road.

    The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;       
    he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.  Psalm 34:18

    There are so many brokenhearted people who simply need a caring heart. Warren Wiersbe beautifully describes why we should not be quick to condemn.

    “I am not as critical as I used to be, not because my standards are lower, but because my sight is clearer. What I thought were blemishes in others have turned out to be scars.”

    In the Gospel of John Jesus talked about the Holy Spirit coming to be our advocate and comforter on this earth. He left this amazing promise that I cling to more fervently everyday.

    “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27, NLT)

    I am experiencing that peace even in this difficult season. I am not afraid because I know without a doubt that He loves the broken ones. That is my assurance today.

  • I’m Done!

    I’m Done!

    I have reached and exceeded my saturation point.

    I’m done.

    Done with what? I am done with negativity. Our leaders, the media, and social media platforms spend a ridiculous percentage of their energy on what is wrong with this world. Their solutions are often soul-sucking condemnation, judgement, and summary dismissal of people who simply ask questions. Perhaps the most distressing thing is that many in the church have fallen into the same dark space. Christian social media responses to cultural and doctrinal issues may be slightly less profane but not much, if any, less negative.

    Brothers and sisters, we are supposed to be light! But please don’t take my word for it. Your argument is with Jesus.

    “In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will
    praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:16, NLT)

    What I see too often is this very sad paraphrase of His words demonstrated through social media platforms.

    “Let my sharp words shame or demean you so that everyone will see how clever I am and praise me.”

    Paul addressed why we should be eager to be light in the world in Ephesians 5:8.

    “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!“

    My heart breaks when I see how many followers of Christ seem to have forgotten they were once full of darkness. It is only because of God’s grace that you have light.

    So I am done with negativity and it is not because I am naive about the condition of the world. I am done with negativity precisely because of the condition of the world. This hurting, fearful populace needs hope, light, and grace. They need the positive message of the Good News. That is my goal for the rest of my days. I feel quite comfortable that the negative side will be well represented by countless others.

    Everyday I need to make choices.

    I can be judgmental or I can be joyful.
    I can be pessimistic or I can be prayerful.
    I can be condemning or I can be caring.
    I can be fearful or I can be faithful.
    I can be grace-filled or I can be graceless.

    We make those choices and I know they are not easy. Making the choice to eat better is hard. Making the choice to work out is even harder for me. Those are decisions with good but temporal benefits. But making the choice to be a positive, loving light in this world has eternal impact. Warren Wiersbe is one of my favorite writers. His book Be Joyful: Philippians): Even When Things Go Wrong, You Can Have Joy is a great study to reorient your negativity.

    “When you have the single mind, you look on your circumstances as God-given opportunities for the furtherance of the gospel, and you rejoice at what God is going to do instead of complaining about what God did not do.”― Warren W. Wiersbe

    That response ain’t natural my friends. That is a mindset based on who God is. It is a choice grounded on the grace He has lavishly given to each one of His children. I’m done with negativity. I don’t know if I have two weeks or two decades left on this planet but I don’t want to spend my time wallowing in pessimism. I remember joking with my television production crew a few years ago that I was in the 4th quarter of life. One of my dear, encouraging friends said this with a smile on his face. “What if you’re in overtime?” That could well be but no matter how much time is on the life clock I want to be a positive light. I want to remember and live out the truth of John 13:35.

    “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

    The choice to love and be light is infinitely more important than winning online arguments, getting social media likes, and racking up followers. I want to be a loving light for the Good News of the gospel. Anyone want to join me?

  • The Rearview Mirror Is For Occasional Glances Only

    The Rearview Mirror Is For Occasional Glances Only

    The rearview mirror is critical for safe driving. But if you spend all of your time looking in the rearview mirror the trip will almost always end badly. That is a reflective (rimshot) metaphor for life. You need to glance in the past occasionally for perspective and clarity. But the rearview mirror is designed for reference only. No obsessing please.

    The quest to live in the present is best lived by looking around and just ahead. I love E.L.Doctorow’s quote about writing. I think this principle applies to writing, living and especially to living a life of faith.

    “It is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way.”

    That is profoundly simple and true. Life is a fog. We wish we could see farther ahead on our journey but the truth is we cannot. You can only see as far at the light that illuminates your path. For a Christian that is all we need to know. That Light (Christ) reassures me that I can (and will) make the whole trip that way.

    Paul wrote to the Church at Philippi about his past. He wrote that what he used to view as valuable he now viewed as garbage compared to the priceless value of knowing Christ. He wrote about his desire to know Christ better. And then Paul gives us a note of encouragement and a path to achieve that goal.

    No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:13-14)

    That is the plan. You forget the past, look forward and then take one stride at a time to the finish line. You can’t backpedal and finish the race. You can’t run in place and finish the race.  You can’t take one mighty leap to finish the race. You certainly can’t stop and finish the race. It is about putting one foot in front of the other.

    Satan wants desperately to have us wallow in regret or shame of the past. Followers of Christ have an escape plan. Not easy to be sure. Sometimes professional counseling is needed to break the chains. But the power is there for healing. Bible teacher and author Warren Wiersbe offers a good perspective on this challenge as he analyzed how Paul related to the past.

    “Forgetting those things which are behind does not suggest an impossible feat of mental and psychological gymnastics by which we try to erase the sins and mistakes of the past. It simply means that we break the power of the past by living for the future. We cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past. There are things in Paul’s past that could have been weights to hold him back, but they became inspirations to speed him ahead. The events did not change, but his understanding of them changed.”

    We can’t magically erase the events and pain of our past but we can break their power. We can change the meaning of the past. We can live for the future. We can believe that we are new creations because of the finished work of Christ. And we can begin to see ourselves as God sees us. God knows all of that bad stuff about us but He chooses not to remember any of it. When the accuser tries to convict us of past events his indictments fall on deaf ears. The past does not define us. Jesus does. Past events and hurts do not defeat us because we can advance, one step at a time, toward the goal set before us.

    One of my favorite Olympic memories involves a runner who was the last to cross the finish line. Derek Redmond was an elite athlete who had a chance to bring home a medal as Great Britain’s 400-Meter representative. After an injury plagued career Redmon seemed ready to leave a lasting legacy at the Games. He had recorded the fastest time in the first round and won his quarter-final race. He started well in the semi-final but about 150 meters into the race his hamstring snapped and he collapsed in agony. Medical personnel and stretcher bearers rushed to his aid but Redmond waved them off. He struggled to his feet and began to hobble around the track. He was going to finish the race.

    Cheers rang out for the winner but then the crowed of 65,000 began to comprehend the drama unfolding of a solitary figure limping in agony toward the finish. The crowd rose and cheered the courageous Redmon. Another official offered help and was brushed away. A man broke through security and ran on the track and there was no stopping this man.

    It was Derek Redmon’s father. At first Derek seemed ready to wave him off too but then he recognized this helper. He buried his face in his father’s chest and sobbed.

    Jim Redmond told his son that he was loved and didn’t have to do this. But Derek set his eyes toward the finish and simply said “Yes, I do”.

    His father replied, “Then we will finish this together.”

    Leaning on his father’s shoulder Derek Redmon limped to the finish. Near the end Jim let his son go so he could cross the finish line on his own. A standing ovation greeted Redmon. Olympic records record that Derek Redmon did not finish because he received help. I would argue that no Olympian has ever finished better than Derek Redmon as he refused to let adversity keep him from the prize of finishing the race. Not winning. Finishing. That is such a beautiful image of how our earthly race often looks. I suspect that many who achieve Heavenly standing ovations will finish with a limp and with eyes focused solely on Jesus.

    And that is how I see my race that Paul describes so beautifully.

    Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

    When I fall or am hurt again I know that I can bury my face in the comforting chest of Abba Father and we will finish together.

    Excerpted from Waking Up Slowly: Spiritual Lessons from My Dog, My Kids, Critters, and Other Unexpected Places.

  • 21 Connect: Day 8 – The Past Does Not Define Us

    21 Connect: Day 8 – The Past Does Not Define Us

    I used to spend a lot of time agonizing about the past. It can be just as dangerous to romanticize the past, thinking that life today is never going to be as good as it once was.

    I love this E. L. Doctorow quote about writing:

    “It’s like driving a car at night: you never see further than your headlights,
    but you can make the whole trip that way.”

    That is profoundly simple and true. I think this principle applies to writing, living, and especially for living a life of faith. Life is a fog. I wish I could see farther ahead on my journey, but the truth is, I cannot. I can see only as far as the light that illuminates my path. Because I’m a Christian, that is all I really need to know. Christ, my Light, reassures me that I can (and will) make the whole trip in that way. But there is fear in the unknown of the future, and it is easy to dwell in the predictable events of the past.

    Not dwelling in the past is a huge issue to address on my journey to slow down, disconnect, and reconnect in healthier ways, both spiritually and relationally. I am learning a lot about what a mess I am. I am pretty sure most of those close to me were already aware of this.

    Paul described his past to the church at Philippi. He wrote that what he used to view as valuable he now viewed as garbage, compared to the priceless value of knowing Christ. He explained his desire to know Christ better. And then Paul gave a note of encouragement and a path to achieve that goal by focusing on Christ and always moving forward.

    No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Philippians 3 : 13-14



    That is the plan. I forget the past, look forward, and then take one stride at a time to the finish line. I can’t backpedal and finish the race. I can’t run in place and finish the race. I can’t take one mighty leap to finish the race. I certainly can’t stop and finish the race. It is about putting one foot in front
    of the other.

    Satan wants desperately to have me wallow in regret or shame of the past. Followers of Christ have an escape plan. It’s not always easy to implement. Sometimes professional counseling is needed to break the chains. But the power for healing is there. Bible teacher and author Warren Wiersbe offers a good perspective on this challenge, as he analyzes how Paul related to the past.

    “Forgetting those things which are behind” does not suggest an impossible feat of mental and psychological gymnastics by which we try to erase the sins and mistakes of the past. It simply means that we break the power of the past by living for the future. We cannot change the past, but we can change the meaning of the past. There were things in Paul’s past that could have been weights to hold him back (1 Tim. 1:12-17), but they became inspirations to speed him ahead. The events did not change, but his understanding of them changed.”


    I can’t magically erase the events and pain of prior events, but I can break their power. I can change the meaning of the past. I can live for the future. I can believe that I am a new creation because of the finished work of Christ. And I can begin to see myself as God sees me. God knows all of that bad stuff about me, but He chooses not to remember any of it. When the Accuser tries to convict me of those events, his indictments fall on deaf ears. The past does not define me; Jesus does. Prior events and hurts do not defeat me, because I can advance, one step at a time, toward the goal set before me.

    The danger of dwelling on the past is wonderfully put by this quote from Michael McMillan.

    You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading your last one.

    The past is forgiven. The future is in God’s hands. Let’s trust Him in this moment.